Police and Administration’s Role Condemned in Isma Incident; Four Parties Accuse and Threaten to Intensify Protests
Authorities in Gulmi’s Isma Rural Municipality have been accused of delaying the registration of complaints following the abuse of the deputy chairperson, female staff, and teachers. Four political parties have issued a joint statement warning that protests will escalate if the police and administration fail to address their shortcomings. Meanwhile, Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) MP Govind Panthi has downplayed the incident, accusing others of politically exaggerating the issue. (24 Jestha, Gulmi)
Four political parties in Gulmi have expressed strong condemnation over the police and administration’s deplorable handling of the abuse case involving the deputy chairperson, female employees, and teachers in Isma Rural Municipality. Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN, and Rastriya Janamorcha jointly accused law enforcement and administration of delaying complaint registrations and sluggish investigation processes. They also alleged that protestors were misled and the accused prematurely released.
The statement notes that on Jestha 8, 2083 (May 2026), while attending a spiritual program in Simaltari, the Isma deputy chairperson, female staff, teachers, and drivers were harassed — including being followed, blocked, verbally abused, and physically intimidated by unruly groups en route. Women protesting for justice staged demonstrations at the District Administration Office and District Police Office in Gulmi on Friday, demanding immediate legal action and impartial investigations against the perpetrators. They continue to hold pressure campaigns for redress.
The four parties expressed full solidarity with the women’s demands for justice and urged the Chief District Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and District Attorney to take responsibility and expedite the probe. They warned that should the administration and police fail to rectify their faults, they will be compelled to intensify coordinated protest programs. The joint statement was signed by Nepali Congress Chair Khil Dhwaj Panthi, CPN-UML Deputy Secretary Chakrabandhu Bhusal, CPN Coordinator Tejindra Salami Magar, and Rastriya Janamorcha representative Hari Nyaupane.
Separately, during the Raswapa Gulmi district convention, MP Govind Panthi, representing Gulmi-2, described the Isma incident as trivial and politically blown out of proportion. He claimed there are attempts to encircle Raswapa both at parliamentary and district levels and alleged that the incident has been unnecessarily politicized with planned propaganda against Raswapa and himself. Female representatives and members of four allied organizations demonstrated at the police administration office demanding action against those responsible for the Isma incident.
